Mon Mar 17 14:21:45 UTC 2025: ## Gates Foundation and India Explore Expanded Agricultural Collaboration

**New Delhi, [Date of Publication]** – Bill Gates, co-chair of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, met with India’s Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan today to discuss strengthening their ongoing partnership in agriculture and rural development. The meeting, attended by senior officials from both sides and representatives from the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), focused on expanding collaboration in several key areas.

Minister Chouhan highlighted India’s focus on developing climate-resistant and bio-fortified crop varieties to ensure future food security. He noted the Gates Foundation’s existing work with ICAR and expressed interest in increased technical collaboration, particularly given ICAR’s success in developing over 2,900 crop varieties, 85% of which are climate-resistant.

Gates praised India’s agricultural research, emphasizing its potential global impact. The discussions also explored opportunities to deepen the partnership in digital agriculture, artificial intelligence, biotechnology, and climate-smart agricultural techniques. Minister Chouhan specifically acknowledged the Foundation’s contribution to strengthening the Model Cluster Level Federation in rural development. The meeting concluded with a commitment to further explore avenues for expanded collaboration between the Gates Foundation and the Indian government.

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